My Disappointment on the Wonder

[2littlegirls]

We were on the MR last week. Our dinner was one of our highlights. We had late dinner but our fantastic waitstaff (from Head server down) gave us a wonderful exprience under an hour. Becuase our girls didn't last that long! One word....enjoy. Get off the boat see Mexico and have a great time.

[smb6]

Originally Posted by maria-fan-22

Dinners aboard Disney Cruise Line are generally slated to last AT LEAST 1.5 hours. If you have late seating(like ours) they may last 2hours. My family likes the slow paced dinners and I would assume that many other do to. So if you don't want 2 hour dinners, Pluto's is open on deck 9.

As for posts like this. I am sure that their cruise was NOT 100% negative like their review. I choose to only 100% believe posts that seem to post the whole story.

We have main seating for dinner. I believe it starts at 5:45? If it lasts 2 hours (and possible more) then it ends at 7:45pm? That is not very much time to prepare for late seating? I don't want to eat at Pluto's, I want to eat in the dining room. When I go to nice restauraunts they usually pace the food according to the customer- some people that want a slow dinner (like you ) get just that- a slow dinner. Some people (like me) that want a faster dinner, get a faster dinner. Why could they not do this? Any competent server should be able to do this... I'm not expecting lightning speed, but based on my personal experience with eating in restauraunts and based on some positive, detailed reviews I have read in the past for DCL- I feel like this is a reasonable expectation/request....

[smb6]

Originally Posted by 2littlegirls

We were on the MR last week. Our dinner was one of our highlights. We had late dinner but our fantastic waitstaff (from Head server down) gave us a wonderful exprience under an hour. Becuase our girls didn't last that long! One word....enjoy. Get off the boat see Mexico and have a great time.

That length of dinner time is more to my liking..... And I have heard others state they were served in an hour or so also..... I hope we have an equally good experience! Thanks for sharing....

[justhat]

Regarding the characters, we've been on the Magic and Wonder and seen different characters on each cruise, each time. Aurora was my daughter's favorite princess (I think she changed to someone else now...), and sometimes she was on board, sometimes she wasn't. And *most* of our cruises were on the Magic (2 on the Wonder, 6 or 7 on the Magic). So it just goes to show that they rotate.

And I simply can't believe that only Goofy and Pluto were out the 1st 2 days. So in the Navigators where they list the character appearances, they only listed those 2? For 2 days?

And Alice and the Mad Hatter must have been on board if the tea party sold out by 12:30pm. Oh, and every cruise we've done on the Magic, you can get the tickets as soon as you board, so I am not sure how that is different.

The Wonder usually doing 3/4 night cruises means nothing. DCL does week long cruises every week, plus longer ones, and the Wonder will be doing MR cruises, and Alaska, for week long cruises for the foreseeable future. You really think they don't have enough linens?

[justhat]

Originally Posted by smb6

We have main seating for dinner. I believe it starts at 5:45? If it lasts 2 hours (and possible more) then it ends at 7:45pm? That is not very much time to prepare for late seating? I don't want to eat at Pluto's, I want to eat in the dining room. When I go to nice restauraunts they usually pace the food according to the customer- some people that want a slow dinner (like you ) get just that- a slow dinner. Some people (like me) that want a faster dinner, get a faster dinner. Why could they not do this? Any competent server should be able to do this... I'm not expecting lightning speed, but based on my personal experience with eating in restauraunts and based on some positive, detailed reviews I have read in the past for DCL- I feel like this is a reasonable expectation/request....

They can and will do this, but keep in mind several of the dinners have shows in them. So if you're in and out in a hour, you'll miss the shows.

We don't really like to linger at dinner much either, only because our kids just don't have the attention span once they are finished eating (plus they are used to going to bed early, so they usually get a little grouchy). The kids do like the shows though. So generally we drag it out a bit so that we finish just before the show starts, then we can leave immediately after the show.

[LKFan]

Originally Posted by justhat

And Alice and the Mad Hatter must have been on board if the tea party sold out by 12:30pm. Oh, and every cruise we've done on the Magic, you can get the tickets as soon as you board, so I am not sure how that is different.

Not arguing, but just letting peole know that the tea party on the Wonder is no longer "Alice's Tea Party" but is called, "Disney Friends Tea Party." In one or two (or three) of the trip reports/reviews, people have listed the characters who are at the tea party. I believe it was Peter Pan and the princesses but I'm not sure. What I do remember is that everyone said that they only serve apple juice and cookies - no tea (even to adults).

[wideeyedwonder]

Originally Posted by rhinosbiggestfan

We went on the second MR cruise and thought it was WONDERFUL. My brothers and sisters loved seeing the characters (as did I!)!--my littlest brother actually almost knocked over Mickey giving him a hug!

I have to ask, how would you rate:

1. The general food quality?

2. The dinner menus (types of food, were you always able to find something you liked, etc.)

3. The availability of "fresh" foods (vegetables to snack on, fruits)?

4. Breakfast food selection and quality?

Thanks!

[cmwade77]

Originally Posted by maria-fan-22

Dinners aboard Disney Cruise Line are generally slated to last AT LEAST 1.5 hours. If you have late seating(like ours) they may last 2hours. My family likes the slow paced dinners and I would assume that many other do to. So if you don't want 2 hour dinners, Pluto's is open on deck 9.

As for posts like this. I am sure that their cruise was NOT 100% negative like their review. I choose to only 100% believe posts that seem to post the whole story.

I am with you, I like the slower paced dinners. We are currently wait listed for the early time, but given the reviews I have been seeing, I am thinking about trying to get off the wait list and stick with the late dinner, sounds like it might be more fun.

[justmestace]

Originally Posted by honest2

anybody got a good post?

Sort of....

Like I'd said on the "good? BAD & UGLY" thread.....there IS a definite difference between cruising on Disney to the Caribbean and cruising on Disney to the Mexican Riviera. To me, and I've cruised DCL 3 times on the MR (and other cruise lines twice) the passengers are of a totally different mind-set on the MR cruises. Not ALL of them, but a lot of them. I could say WHY I feel this way, but I'd get flamed royally, so I won't. Just take my word for it, a large percentage of the passengers cruising out of LA are just different than the ones cruising out of FL. And that's not a compliment.
Secondly....it's going to Mexico. I think everyone who's done it once has a hard time getting enthused about doing it again. I've done it alot, not because I'm all excited to go to Mexico, but because of different reasons....it's cheaper for me to fly to CA from AZ, the cost (on the other cruise lines) is cheaper, I had friends and/or family I went to share time with.....
I don't cruise for the food. I'm just not that into it. But there is always the option in the dining rooms of having a chicken breast or a steak and a baked potato, if the offerings aren't to your liking.

I think a few people are being way too hard on Disney. If you look at it from the standpoint of it being relatively new to everyone onboard....for example....if you just moved clear across the country and your world was all turned around, it would probably take you a while to get settled in, too.

I honestly think that if there WERE any problems on these first few sailings, they WILL get better. But for the most part, I think a few of the people who have posted have blown things way out of proportion and really just wanted to stir things up. It sounded on the "Ugly" thread that the OP had family in Mazatlan, and that this was probably a major reason for cruising...and when that fell through, I have a feeling that everything from that point on was just going to be miserable for that person.

Anyway....please....to everyone who has future plans on the Wonder.....let the complaints go in one ear and out the other. You'll have a great time on the ship, if you make it great......
But also.....keep in mind that Mexico is NOT the Caribbean. It's totally different, and if you can't accept that, then you SHOULD switch your cruise.

[justmestace]

Originally Posted by cmwade77

I am with you, I like the slower paced dinners. We are currently wait listed for the early time, but given the reviews I have been seeing, I am thinking about trying to get off the wait list and stick with the late dinner, sounds like it might be more fun.

Early dinner is always a little more rushed, as they do have to get ready for the later seating. But every meal on Disney is a production, and there just is no rushing it sometimes.
(Not you) but to anyone who wants to rush through dinner, you really should either go to the buffet, or cruise on a line that has the "anytime" dining. It's just not Disney's way.

[cmwade77]

Originally Posted by wideeyedwonder

I have to ask, how would you rate:

1. The general food quality?

2. The dinner menus (types of food, were you always able to find something you liked, etc.)

3. The availability of "fresh" foods (vegetables to snack on, fruits)?

4. Breakfast food selection and quality?

Thanks!

We did the two day cruise to Neverland (our first cruise ever) and liked it so much that we are boked for the end of next month!

My answers are:
1. The food in general was great, there were some things that we didn't like, but that was just personal preference. For example I did not like their cheesecake, it was too light and airy, I like a denser cheesecake, but others might not.

2. There was always something that each of us would enjoy, but they would do everything that they can to accomodate this.

3. There is fresh fruit available, I forget the name of it, but it is by Beach Blanket Buffet.

4. The buffet breakfast was good, the last day breakfast was not as good.

[LKFan]

Originally Posted by justmestace

To me, and I've cruised DCL 3 times on the MR (and other cruise lines twice)

I think a few people are being way too hard on Disney. If you look at it from the standpoint of it being relatively new to everyone onboard....for example....if you just moved clear across the country and your world was all turned around, it would probably take you a while to get settled in, too.

So did you sail on the Magic out of LA? Not a flame, just a question (cuz I wasn't on the boards in 2005, 2008)...... Were there settling in problems when they brought the Magic out west?

[stitchlovestink]

Originally Posted by maria-fan-22

Many times with the characters its due to them not having a CM that can be that character at a certain time. The Crew deserves their time off and expecting that they work all day long for 7day and then over again is ridiculous. Maybe YOU should have lowered your expectations. The characters you met were MORE than enough for most people. They can't have every character out all the time, it doesn't work that way. All of the Disney ships deserve a break in expectation because of all the new crew on each ship. The Wonder also deserves some because she is doing cruises that are longer then her normal routine. The characters are honestly the smallest reason for why I choose Disney. You listed many characters and that should be enough. Everyone sailing on the Wonder, Have a GREAT cruise! It will be a special week!

bolding is mine...
that is your opinion which you are entitled to as well as the OP is entitled to their opinion... Why the need to be so snarky that their expectations were too high???
I don't buy that the guest should have to lower its expectation. DCL has known about these changes for a LONG time. They have had plenty of time to prepare staff and crew. These changes weren't decided in a week or month...So the guest needs to cater to DCL??? I believe in understanding and flexibility but there seems to be a lot of excuse making on DCL's behalf and these are almost ALL things that they knew were going to happen when they decided to make these changes to their ships. It's not like all of the sudden they said, "Hey! Let's stop doing 3/4 night cruises and start doing only 7 nighters!" I mean really...come on...
I agree that the guest's attitude can play a huge part in their vacation experience but the buck does eventually stop w/ DCL! We shouldn't have to expect to compromise everything because DCL chose to be so unprepared. That is my opinion. You are entitled to your opinion, and OP is entitled to their opinion!
For what it's worth OP, I really tend to agree with you that they did not do a very thorough job of trying to prepare the ship, staff, and the like for such dramatic changes that they were NOT a surprise.

Originally Posted by MTmomma

I am starting to get a little perturbed at how nit-picky people are coming across on this! Part of the charachters showing up? Yeah, it depends on wich CM are on board as to wich charachters they are able to bring out. About anyone can hide in a mickey suit, but the princesses? yeah they have to have a passing resemblance, and yeah people DO deserve breaks! It sounds like you were expecting "The World" and got "The State." Ease up a bit will ya?

Personally, I think you need to 'ease up a bit' on the OP. They were stating their opinion to which they are entitled and I appreciate them sharing their personal experiences and how they feel. You don't have to like their opinion but they are entitled to it just as you are entitled to yours. But you want to vocalize yours and not allow them to vocalize theirs??

Originally Posted by lmhall2000

I find it more disappointing that follow up posters take every opportunity to diminish the OP's opinion...even the points about it being their 1st post, there must be a conspiracy...OR could it be that they were so sorely disappointed in their experience that they finally had a reason to come here and post something...there are many many who use these boards for research and do not want to post or do not feel qualified to post...I look at all these reports as a community service...
If we want to get paranoid, I'd guess those diminishing the reports are either CM's or related to CM's and therefore taking on a defensive approach, but I won't commit to that stance, but it just shows you how ridiculous it can get.

I get what she's saying about the characters...even on our Med cruise we saw them all over the ship...many came in the teen club and annoyed my son, I'm sure he enjoyed it but he remembers many coming in there...to only see 3 the first 3 days is not typical...sure, it could be that they just missed them, but this poster sailed in 2009 and was comparing it to a previous experience...I find this very valuable...and I'm sorry so many can't thank you for your sharing your experience but yet tell you what should or should not be acceptable to you....


Tara

Great Post Tara!!! VERY well articulated... exactly what I am trying to say.

[justmestace]

Originally Posted by LKFan

So did you sail on the Magic out of LA? Not a flame, just a question (cuz I wasn't on the boards in 2005, 2008)...... Were there settling in problems when they brought the Magic out west?

Yes, it was the Magic. And yes, there were problems in the beginning.
But...some things aren't going to change. Like the port terminal...until or unless DCL builds or decorates their own terminal, the start of every cruise out of LA is going to feel kind of "blah" because it's a shipping port and wasn't built specifically for Disney.

But honestly, as far as the overall DISNEY experience....I really didn't see any difference. We sailed once in 2005, and twice in 2008....the first cruise that we did in 2008 was the 2nd MR sailing...right after its inaugural. I saw a LOT of different faces, as far as crew members go, but they were working hard at getting into the groove.
I didn't notice any difference in the food, entertainment, or service between the LA cruises and the FL ones.....same Disney!

Other than the terminal, the only real difference I noticed was in the passengers.

[woody73]

Originally Posted by LKFan

So did you sail on the Magic out of LA? Not a flame, just a question (cuz I wasn't on the boards in 2005, 2008)...... Were there settling in problems when they brought the Magic out west?

When the Magic came to L.A. in 2005, it was a huge event for DCL. In some ways it was like the launch of the Dream, with press events and extensive media coverage.

The Magic did not have "settling in problems" since, after the WB Panama Canal cruise, it continued to do 7-night cruises (as it had for years), and had many of the same seasoned officers and crew that sailed the Eastern and Western Caribbean cruises.

For those who had previously sailed on the Magic, the most noticeable difference was at the port itself. In L.A., the Magic sailed from a cruise terminal used by other cruise lines, instead of from it's own private terminal with all the Disney touches.

Woody